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Amidst the escalating Ukraine-Russia conflict, the issue of captivity has taken a center stage with over 10,000 Russian soldiers captured, as reported by the 'I Want to Live' project. Ukraine has made significant strides, with 2,080 military personnel and 230 civilians returned from captivity in 2025 alone. However, disturbing reports of torture and the increasing number of foreign mercenaries add complexity to this humanitarian crisis. The Coordination Headquarters has emphasized the importance of prisoner exchanges and the urgent need for Russia to adhere to international laws regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.

How many Russian soldiers have been captured in the Ukraine conflict?

As of now, over 10,000 Russian soldiers have been reported captured during the full-scale war against Ukraine. This figure has been compiled by the 'I Want to Live' project, emphasizing a significant increase in prisoners of war due to ongoing hostilities.

What challenges do captives face in the Ukraine-Russia conflict?

The captives in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict face several challenges, including torture, lack of basic human rights, and inadequate exchanges. Reports have detailed harsh conditions and the refusal to engage in fair exchanges based on the "all for all" principle, further complicating the situation.

What initiatives are in place to address prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia?

Efforts to conduct prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia are ongoing, with the Coordination Headquarters reporting a record number of exchanges in 2025. The exchanges have facilitated the return of numerous military personnel and civilians, but challenges persist due to diplomatic tensions.

Are there any foreign nationals involved in the Ukraine-Russia captivity issues?

Yes, there is a notable presence of foreign nationals involved in the Ukraine-Russia captivity issues. There have been reports of foreign mercenaries and recruited soldiers among the captives, highlighting the international dimension of this conflict and the varied backgrounds of those captured.

What are the humanitarian concerns related to captivity in the Ukraine conflict?

The captivity situation in the Ukraine conflict raises significant humanitarian concerns, including reports of torture, inadequate care for prisoners, and the emotional and psychological impact on both military personnel and civilians. These concerns underscore the urgent need for international intervention and adherence to human rights conventions.

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TOP news captivity

Wounded Russian soldiers surrendered after following instructions announced by drone. VIDEO Russian troops surrendered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces after receiving instructions from a drone. Upon hearing the audio commands, the occupiers laid down their weapons and surrendered to Ukrainian forces. Our soldiers not only ensured their safety but also provided medical assistance to the wounded. 5 898 10 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Russian shoots his accomplice Russian shoots his accomplice at point-blank range in Zaporizhzhia region. VIDEO A video was published online showing the occupier shooting his accomplice at close range with a machine gun in the Zaporizhzhia direction. 26 118 40 Previously in trend: Order in Russian army

Hostage release to be key topic during next Minsk talks, - Iryna Herashchenko The meetings of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) and its four sub-groups are scheduled for Dec. 7 in Minsk. 1 778 6 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

вмс,тральщик,sandown 29-year-old Ukrainian marine was evacuated from occupied territory: he spent year and half in Russian captivity. VIDEO The Ukrainian Navy's Special Reconnaissance unit "Angels" rescued a 29-year-old Ukrainian marine from Russian captivity. To do so, they conducted a multi-stage special operation to evacuate him from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. 10 123 6

вмс,полонені Three marines returned from Russian captivity - Navy. PHOTO Three servicemen of a separate marine infantry battalion of the Navy of Ukraine were released from Russian captivity. 8 343 6 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

війна Our soldiers replenished exchange fund with Russian invader on outskirts of Robotyne. VIDEO During the offensive, the Defence Forces continue to replenish the exchange fund. Thus, our fighters captured a Russian invader near the village of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region. 7 634 6 Previously in trend: War

108 people held hostage in occupied Donbas, 495 gone missing, - SBU 61 captives and 135 missing persons are servicemen and law enforcers. 1 852 6 Ukrainian Politics

An occupier from Mozdok spoke about the mountains of corpses and Russian losses near Uspenivka Occupier joined assault troops instead of going to prison — now he is giving "interviews" in captivity. VIDEO The occupier Sergey Shevkuta from Mozdok, Russia, who was facing a prison term for "weed", found himself in the realities of typical Russian assaults. 2 483 6 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

війна Soldiers of 5th Brigade capture Russian invader near Bakhmut. VIDEO During an operation to retake a lost position, soldiers of the 5th separate assault brigade near Bakhmut captured a Russian invader. The Ukrainian soldiers conducted a swift attack, surrounding the enemy and forcing him to surrender. 5 871 6 Previously in trend: War

военные военнослужащие ато воины воин муравский No one killed, two Ukrainian soldiers wounded, two captured by militants yesterday, - ATO spokesperson Two Ukrainian military were wounded, two captured by militants in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in the east of Ukraine on Dec. 26. 13 694 6 Incidents

Our soldiers eliminated the enemy’s position and took a prisoner "Enei" fighters destroy enemy positions in Toretsk and capture occupier: "What are you, cop?". VIDEO A unit of the "Enei" Special Operations Battalion of the National Police’s "Liut" Brigade successfully completed a combat mission in Toretsk, Donetsk region. 6 752 6 Previously in trend: Situation at front

фрост Terrorist attack in Olenivka colony. Sentenced to death Azov’s Frost. Part 2. VIDEO A 24-year-old machine gunner of "Azov" with codename "Frost" survived fierce battles in Mariupol, was sentenced to death by occupants, but survived captivity and returned home on exchange. 10 192 6 Previously in trend: War

Mykolaienko on Russian captivity Former Kherson mayor Mykolaienko on Russian captivity: They beat us and fed us just enough so we wouldn’t starve to death. We picked nettles to get at least some vitamins Former Kherson Mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko has lost 25 kilograms while in enemy captivity. 2 649 5 Previously in trend: Russians hold former mayor of Kherson captive

Ukrainian marine Oleksandr Savov has died Azovstal marine Oleksandr Savov, who returned from Russian captivity eight months ago, has died. PHOTO Ukrainian marine Oleksandr Savov has died; this spring he returned from Russian captivity after almost three years in detention. 7 781 13 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

prison, captivity of the Russian Federation 80% of repatriated bodies from Russian prisons show signs of torture – Interior Ministry 80% of bodies repatriated from Russian detention facilities and prisons show signs of torture. 3 164 14 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons

war Two occupiers surrendered to our drone, then Russian invaders tried to kill them while escaping. VIDEO In the Kupiansk direction, pilots of the border unit "Phoenix" captured two Russian invaders by dropping a bottle of water with a note saying "Follow the drone" from a drone, and then defended them from an attack by the prisoners’ own drone. 5 173 16 Previously in trend: Situation at front

SSU exposes four torturers of Armed Forces of Ukraine in Luhansk region Ukrainian prisoners tortured in Luhansk region: four Russian torturers exposed, - SSU. PHOTO The Security Service of Ukraine has served a notice of suspicion to four former employees of the penal colony in Sukhodilsk who, after the occupation of Luhansk region, collaborated with the enemy and participated in the torture of Ukrainian soldiers. 2 539 8 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons

Soldiers of the National Guard Brigade captured 6 Russians in the Pokrovsk direction Soldiers of NGU "Spartan" brigade captured six invaders in Pokrovsk direction. VIDEO Soldiers of the 3rd Operational Brigade of the Spartan NGU replenished Ukraine's "exchange fund" with six Russian occupiers in the Pokrovsk direction. 7 988 11

реабілітація Duration of rehabilitation of servicemen released from captivity has no time limits and depends on each individual case - Ministry of Defence Rehabilitation of Ukrainian defenders after Russian captivity has no time limits. However, after full recovery, the soldier must undergo a second medical examination at hospital medical certifying authorities to determine his fitness for military service. 988 5 Previously in trend: War

How many Ukrainians died in captivity 184 Ukrainians have died in Russian captivity since beginning of large-scale invasion, - Coordination Staff. INFOGRAPHICS Since 24 February 2022, 184 Ukrainian military and civilians have died in Russian captivity. 843 5

war One against six: National Guard soldier single-handedly captured group of Russian stormtroopers near Siversk. VIDEO Ukrainian reconnaissance man Denys Melnychuk (call sign "Mel") performed a real feat near Siversk. A warrior of the "Power of Freedom" battalion of the 4th "Rubizh" National Guard Brigade single-handedly attacked the enemy position and captured six Russian stormtroopers. 11 312 16 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Russian surrenders to drone Occupier raises his hands up and surrenders to Ukrainian drone. VIDEO The occupier raised his hands up in the air and surrendered to the Ukrainian drone. 4 101 7 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

полон,викрадення About 600 people were returned from captivity, among them about 100 civilians, others were military, - National Information Bureau To date, almost 600 people have been returned from captivity, including about 100 civilians and rest of them are military personnel. 1 714 5 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

Ukraine and Russia to exchange prisoners on June 9, 2025 Mariupol defenders who spent more than 3 years in captivity are among those liberated today - Coordination Center Today, June 9, 2025, the first stage of the prisoner exchange took place under the agreements in Istanbul. 3 813 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POWs How Ukrainian Defence Forces managed to neutralise group of Russian stormtroopers and find out information from occupiers. VIDEO Border guards of the "Forpost" brigade in the Vovchansk sector captured six Russian stormtroopers. 6 578 6 Previously in trend: War

нацполіція,окупант Occupant from "Storm-Z" unit detained near Avdiivka: he came under fire from Ukrainian Armed Forces and got lost. PHOTO Near Avdiivka, police officers from the White Angels group and the military detained a wounded Russian occupier from the Storm-Z unit. He came under fire from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 5 595 5 Previously in trend: War

беруть у полон SOF fighters eliminate 14 occupiers, capture 3 more in Kursk region. VIDEO As a result of successful actions behind enemy lines in the Kursk region, SOF fighters eliminated 14 occupiers and captured 3 more. 11 565 5 Previously in trend: War

Four paratroopers captured 15 occupiers in the Kharkiv region Our paratroopers free two Ukrainian civilians and capture 15 Russian invaders in Kharkiv region. VIDEO Four of our servicemen from the Air Assault Forces carried out a successful operation in Kharkiv region. 6 796 5 Previously in trend: Situation at front

war Ukrainian defenders captured seven Russian invaders in Toretsk direction. VIDEO At the Toretsk direction in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian defenders replenished the exchange fund with 7 Russian invaders from the 132nd Horlivka motorised rifle brigade of the Russian Armed Forces. 4 584 17 Previously in trend: Situation at front

The occupier was eliminated by his own comrades while he was trying to surrender Wanted to surrender: occupier killed by his own invaders. VIDEO The "South" Joint Forces Group has released footage showing a Russian soldier being killed by his own army while attempting to surrender to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 6 635 12 Previously in trend: Drones against occupiers Elimination of Russian occupiers

captured Soldiers of 5th SHMB captured two occupiers, seized Russian electronic warfare system and FPV drones. VIDEO The pilots of the 5th Separate Heavy Mechanised Brigade, having lost their drone in the grey zone, decided to return it. As a result, they returned with two captured occupiers, an enemy electronic warfare device "Kapyushon", three enemy Mavics and four enemy FPV drones. 7 347 9 Previously in trend: Situation at front Destruction of the occupiers

Another 10 Ukrainian Servicemen Released From Captivity of Terrorists - NSDC 10 Ukrainian soldiers were freed from the terrorists’ captivity on Tuesday. 2 870 5 Incidents

війна Mopping up trenches and neutralizing assault group of Russians by reconnaissance men of Rubizh Brigade of NGU in Luhansk region. VIDEO Reconnaissance men of the 4th Brigade of the NGU "Rubizh" near Makiivka, Luhansk region, cleared enemy trenches and neutralised a Russian assault group. 8 492 5 Previously in trend: War

оленівка Russian Federation still does not give Ukraine opportunity to visit site of terrorist attack in Olenivka, - Ombudsman Lubinets The Russian Federation still does not give Ukraine the opportunity to visit the place where the Russian army committed a war crime in Olenivka, Donetsk region, as a result of which Ukrainian prisoners of war died en masse. 607 5 Previously in trend: War

National Flag Day Woman who spent six years in captivity in Russia has been returned to Ukraine. VIDEO Ukrainian civilian Svitlana, released from Russian captivity, met her daughters for the first time after more than six years of separation. 4 016 6 Previously in trend: Return from occupation

trump, zelenskyy Zelenskyy shows Trump photos of Ukrainian military before and after Russian captivity During a meeting at the White House, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed Donald Trump a photo of Ukrainian prisoners of war. 7 819 19 Previously in trend: Trump-Zelenskyy meeting

war Soldiers of 4th Battalion of Freedom Force of Rubizh National Guard captured two occupiers. VIDEO Soldiers of the 4th Battalion of the Freedom Force of the Rubizh National Guard captured two occupiers. The Russian servicemen chose life over senseless death and voluntarily surrendered to Ukrainian defenders. 3 367 9 Previously in trend: Situation at front

малкоч,шереф Turkish Ombudsman Malkoç to visit Russia to check conditions of detention and treatment of Ukrainian prisoners Turkey’s Chief Public Ombudsman, Şeref Malkoç, plans to visit Russia and visit the places where Ukrainian prisoners are held. He also wants to investigate whether the treatment of prisoners in Russia complies with international law. 858 4 World

occupier He wanted to have Russian passport but ended up wounded and beaten by Russian commander: story of mercenary from Kyrgyzstan. VIDEO Kyrgyz citizen Altynbek Ibraimov joined the Russian forces to obtain citizenship. However, the promised "quiet service as a driver" quickly turned into a "meat assault," where he was abandoned. 4 807 13 Previously in trend: War

полон Over 1.2 thousand residents of Zaporizhzhia region are in Russian captivity - Fedorov Currently, more than 1,200 residents of the Zaporizhzhia region are being held captive by the Russian occupiers. 511 4 Previously in trend: War

war Our troops captured 2 Russians in Donetsk direction: "We dropped water and indicated route with grenades". VIDEO In the Donetsk direction, soldiers of the 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade captured two occupiers with the help of a drone. 4 112 5 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Militants revealed whereabouts of 45 Ukrainian prisoners, - Tandit Representatives of the self-styled "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" have provided information about the whereabouts of 45 Ukrainian prisoners. 10 266 4 Ukrainian Politics

Ukrainian Armed Forces capture Russians in Toretsk direction Ukrainian defenders captured another group of Russian occupiers in Toretsk direction. VIDEO Ukrainian troops captured another group of Russian occupants in the Toretsk direction. 5 606 6 Previously in trend: Situation in the Toretsk direction captured occupiers

Captured Chinese soldier tells how he surrendered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces Times reported that one of Chinese fighting for Russia voluntarily surrendered to Ukrainian forces A Chinese soldier who signed a contract with the Russian army came to the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Donetsk region at night and surrendered himself. 5 014 10 Previously in trend: Captured Chinese nationals Participation of Chinese nationals in the war against Ukraine

костін Kostin: More than 10,000 civilian Ukrainians are in Russian captivity Russians are holding more than 10,000 civilian Ukrainians in the occupied territories and in Russia. 993 4 Incidents

Серед звільнених з російського полону українців — кримськотатарська активістка Леніє Умерова, 23 women managed to return from Russian captivity, including Crimean Tatar activist Umerova - Coordination Centre As part of the 56th exchange of prisoners of war since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 23 women were returned. 2 864 4 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

In the Kharkiv region, fighters detained two Russian occupiers Border guards from "Hart" brigade captured two Russian soldiers in Kharkiv region. VIDEO+PHOTOS In Kharkiv region, border guards of the "Hart" brigade captured two Russian soldiers who were building fortifications on Ukrainian territory. 2 152 4 Previously in trend: Situation at front

captivity, torture Former POWs will be able to receive disability status and state support - Ministry of Health In Ukraine, people who survived illegal detention and torture during the war will now be able to receive disability status and appropriate state aid. 819 4